Reviewed · CATAMARAN & SAILING TRIPS

Sliema: Sailboat Party with an Open Bar, Food, and Swimming

3.7 · 155 reviews From $79 Operated by The Dance Island · Bookable on GetYourGuide
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A four-hour evening sailboat party gives you a very different way to see Malta. You board Faith in Sliema, watch Valletta from the water, drink from an open bar, dance to a live DJ, and jump into the sea during a swim stop. It is part boat outing, part nightclub, and part sunset break.

I like the easy all-in-one setup: drinks and a snack are included, so you do not need to keep reaching for your wallet. I also like the swim stop, since a quick jump into clear Mediterranean water adds something real to the night. The main consideration is the party format. With a 3.7 rating from 155 reviews, this is not a quiet sailing trip, and the music, alcohol, and social atmosphere will not suit everyone.

Key points to know

  • Board Faith in Sliema: Find the Supreme Boats Rentals departure in front of Burger King.
  • The evening runs from 18:30 boarding to about 23:00: Departure is scheduled between 19:00 and 19:10.
  • The open bar includes spirits, beer, and soft drinks: Rum, vodka, gin, tequila, beer, and nonalcoholic drinks are listed.
  • A swim stop breaks up the party: You can jump straight from the boat into clear water.
  • The food is a snack, not a full dinner: Choose one tuna ftira or ham and cheese ftira, with fresh fruit.
  • This is an adults-only outing: Children under 18 cannot join.

What kind of Malta evening is this?

Sliema: Sailboat Party with an Open Bar, Food, and Swimming - What kind of Malta evening is this?

This is best understood as a floating party rather than a sightseeing cruise with a little music added. The sailboat leaves Sliema in the evening, the DJ plays reggaeton and upbeat dance music, and the open bar keeps the social side moving.

You can dance, sit in the lounge area, watch the sunset over Valletta, or use the boat as a base for the swim stop. The mix gives you a little freedom, but the central mood is lively and social. If you want a calm introduction to Malta’s coast, this is probably the wrong boat. If you want music, drinks, swimming, and an easy night out, the format makes sense.

The boat is described as spacious and comfortable, with a dance area and lounge space. That matters because four hours can feel long if everyone has to remain in one crowded spot. You should still expect a party atmosphere rather than personal space and quiet conversation.

The experience is operated by The Dance Island. No guide names are provided, so you should not expect a named historical guide or a narrated tour. The live DJ, onboard photographer, bar staff, and boat crew are the people shaping your evening.

Other days under sail from Malta:

Starting in Sliema beside Burger King

Sliema: Sailboat Party with an Open Bar, Food, and Swimming - Starting in Sliema beside Burger King

The meeting point is easy to identify if you are already in central Sliema. Go to the Supreme Boats Rentals departure and look for the boat named Faith, docked in front of Burger King.

Boarding starts at 18:30. The boat is due to leave between 19:00 and 19:10, so arriving at the start of boarding is the sensible move. You get time to find the right boat, settle in, and avoid a rushed start. Do not treat 19:10 as a guaranteed late-arrival grace period.

The activity ends back at the same meeting point after about four hours. There is no hotel pickup or drop-off, so you are responsible for getting to Sliema and returning to your accommodation. That is a small but important cost consideration, especially if you are staying outside the Sliema area.

Faith is the key detail to remember. A busy waterfront can have several boats, rental operators, and evening activities, so the boat name and the Supreme Boats Rentals location are more useful than simply asking for a party boat.

Sunset views toward Valletta

Sliema: Sailboat Party with an Open Bar, Food, and Swimming - Sunset views toward Valletta

Once you are aboard, you can order from the open bar and choose where to spend the first part of the cruise. The lounge area offers a better place to watch the evening light, while the dance area is the natural choice if you want to join the music early.

The view toward Valletta is one of the strongest sightseeing elements of the night. You are seeing the city from the water rather than walking its streets, which gives you a broad view of the shoreline and historic buildings. The tour information does not promise a formal commentary, so enjoy this as a visual moment rather than a history lesson.

Timing helps here. An evening departure gives you changing light, followed by dancing under the stars. If the sunset matters to you, take a place where you can see out before the dance area becomes your main focus. You may find that the best view comes before the party reaches full speed.

The boat’s classic sailing design adds atmosphere, though the experience is not presented as a traditional sailing lesson. You are booking a party cruise aboard a sailboat, not a hands-on sailing session. That distinction matters if you are choosing between this and a quieter coastal sailing trip.

The open bar and what it really includes

Sliema: Sailboat Party with an Open Bar, Food, and Swimming - The open bar and what it really includes

The open bar covers rum, vodka, gin, tequila, beer, and soft drinks. For an adult who plans to have several drinks, this can make the $79 price easier to justify. You pay once for the boat, DJ, bar, snack, fruit, photographer, and swim stop instead of paying separately for each part of the evening.

Still, I would judge the value by your drinking habits. If you drink little or prefer a quiet cruise, the open bar may not add much value. If you enjoy a social night and would otherwise buy several drinks at a bar, the package can be financially reasonable.

The information does not list wine, cocktails, branded drinks, or a full bar menu. Do not assume every mixed drink is available simply because spirits are included. The listed choices are rum, vodka, gin, tequila, beer, and soft drinks.

The open bar also changes the practical side of the night. Pace yourself, especially before swimming. A swim stop is part of the outing, but alcohol and water activities do not mix well when you are careless. The best use of the bar is to enjoy it gradually and keep enough energy for the whole four-hour schedule.

Other things to eat and drink around Malta:

Reggaeton, dancing, and the live DJ

Sliema: Sailboat Party with an Open Bar, Food, and Swimming - Reggaeton, dancing, and the live DJ

The DJ starts with reggaeton and upbeat dance music. That gives you a clear idea of the tone: energetic, current, and built for movement rather than background listening.

The dance area is central to the experience. You can join in, watch from the side, or use the lounge area when you need a break. The music choice will please people who want a proper party at sea. It may frustrate anyone hoping for a quiet conversation or traditional Maltese music.

A live DJ also means the night has a stronger club feel than a standard recorded playlist. The exact music later in the evening is not specified, so you should not expect a fixed set list. Go for the general mood, not a particular song or style beyond the stated reggaeton and dance focus.

The 3.7 rating suggests a mixed overall response, so I would keep your expectations sensible. This is a social product with several moving parts: music, crowd, weather, bar service, and boat space. If you need a polished private party or a quiet premium sailing trip, the format may disappoint. If you enjoy joining the energy of a shared outing, it has a clear appeal.

The swim stop in clear Mediterranean water

Sliema: Sailboat Party with an Open Bar, Food, and Swimming - The swim stop in clear Mediterranean water

The swim stop is the part that gives the evening a welcome change of pace. Instead of remaining on the boat for four hours, you get a chance to jump directly into the sea from Faith and cool off in clear water.

Bring swimwear and a towel. You can change before boarding if needed, but no changing facilities are specified, so plan around that. A towel is especially useful after the swim because the activity continues with music and drinks rather than ending at the water.

The stop takes place at a location described as having crystal-clear water, but the exact site is not named. That means you should not book this expecting a particular cove or landmark. The appeal is the chance to swim from the boat, not a guaranteed visit to a famous beach.

You should also consider your comfort with jumping from a boat. The information specifically says you can jump in, but it does not promise a beach entry, shallow water, or a long period for swimming. If you are not a confident swimmer, take care and follow the crew’s instructions.

The swim stop works well as a reset. After the music and bar, a short swim can make the evening feel less repetitive. It is also one of the more memorable details of the activity because you are enjoying Malta’s water directly, not only looking at it from the deck.

Tuna ftira, ham and cheese, and fruit

Food is included, but it is important to call it what it is: a snack. You receive one tuna ftira or one ham and cheese ftira, plus fresh fruit.

Ftira is a Maltese-style bread, so the sandwich gives the outing a local touch rather than relying only on standard packaged snacks. Tuna offers the seafood option, while ham and cheese gives you the simpler choice. You should be able to choose between them, but the supplied details do not explain how the choice is made or whether dietary changes are possible.

Do not plan on this as a full evening meal. A sandwich and fruit can help settle your stomach and keep you going, but you may want to eat beforehand if you usually need a substantial dinner. The activity description lists a snack, while the inclusions specify the sandwich and fruit. The separate note that a meal is not included confirms the limit.

This is one reason the price needs a personal calculation. The $79 fee covers food in a small way, but you are mainly paying for the boat, open bar, music, swim stop, and evening entertainment. The snack is useful support, not the main value.

The onboard photographer

Sliema: Sailboat Party with an Open Bar, Food, and Swimming - The onboard photographer

An onboard photographer is included, giving you a chance to capture the party, sunset, and swimming portion without relying entirely on your own phone. That can be handy when you are dancing or in the water.

The details do not explain how many photos you receive, whether images are included in the price, or how they are delivered. Treat the photographer as an added feature, not a guaranteed package of professional photographs.

You should still protect your phone if you bring it near the water. A waterproof case or a secure bag is sensible, though neither is listed as provided. The photographer may capture the atmosphere better than a quick selfie, but you should not assume every moment will be photographed.

Is $79 a fair price?

Sliema: Sailboat Party with an Open Bar, Food, and Swimming - Is $79 a fair price?

At $79 per person, this is not the cheapest way to spend an evening in Malta. It can be fair value if you plan to use the open bar, enjoy the DJ, swim, and stay for most of the four-hour cruise.

The price includes:

  • A four-hour boat outing
  • An open bar with spirits, beer, and soft drinks
  • A live DJ
  • One tuna or ham and cheese ftira
  • Fresh fruit
  • An onboard photographer
  • A swim stop

You still need to arrange your own transport to Sliema, and the food is not a full meal. Those details prevent the price from being an obvious bargain. On the other hand, buying drinks and paying for a separate boat activity could add up quickly, especially in an evening setting.

I would book it for the package, not just the view. The Valletta sunset is a welcome part of the route, but the main product is the party. The value is strongest for adults who want a social night and weakest for anyone who would mostly sit quietly, drink little, or skip the swim.

Who will enjoy this most?

Sliema: Sailboat Party with an Open Bar, Food, and Swimming - Who will enjoy this most?

I would recommend this to adults who like group activities, upbeat music, and a loose evening schedule. It suits friends, couples who enjoy nightlife, and solo visitors who are comfortable joining a shared party atmosphere.

It is also a practical choice if you want several Malta experiences in one booking: coastal views, a boat ride, a swim, drinks, music, and a small taste of local food. You do not need to plan separate evening entertainment.

I would not choose it for children, since the activity is not suitable for anyone under 18. I would also steer quiet-seeking couples toward another type of cruise. There is no promise of guided sightseeing, a full dinner, or a peaceful sail.

People with dietary restrictions should ask before booking, since the listed food is tuna ftira or ham and cheese ftira with fruit, and no alternative menu is provided. The same applies if you do not drink alcohol. Soft drinks are included, but the event still centers on an open bar and party mood.

Booking details that matter

You can cancel up to 24 hours before the activity for a full refund. A reserve-now, pay-later option is also available, which helps if your Malta schedule is still changing.

Check availability for the exact starting time, but the stated evening schedule is boarding from 18:30 and departure between 19:00 and 19:10. Allow enough time to reach the Sliema meeting point, locate Faith, and board without stress.

Bring swimwear and a towel. You may also want a light cover-up for the boat, though it is not listed as required. Since no hotel transport is included, make your own return plan before the boat leaves.

Should you book the Faith boat party?

Book this if you want a lively adult night with a real swim stop, an open bar, reggaeton and dance music, and sunset views toward Valletta. The combination is simple and appealing, especially if you value having entertainment, drinks, and a boat ride handled in one package.

Skip it if you want a quiet sailing experience, a proper dinner, historical commentary, or a carefully planned sightseeing route. The 3.7 rating from 155 reviews points to an experience with mixed appeal, not a universally polished night out.

My practical advice is to judge the booking by the party first and the sightseeing second. Arrive early at Sliema, eat a little beforehand, bring your towel, pace your drinks, and treat the swim stop as a highlight rather than an afterthought. For the right crowd, $79 can buy a memorable Malta evening. For everyone else, a calmer cruise will be a better use of your time and money.

FAQ

Where does the boat party start?

It starts at the Supreme Boats Rentals departure in Sliema. Look for the boat named Faith, docked in front of Burger King.

What time should I arrive?

Boarding starts at 18:30. Departure is scheduled between 19:00 and 19:10, so arrive in time to locate Faith and board before departure.

How long does the activity last?

The boat party lasts about four hours and ends back at the same meeting point in Sliema.

What drinks are included?

The open bar includes rum, vodka, gin, tequila, beer, and soft drinks.

Is food included?

A snack is included. You receive one tuna ftira or ham and cheese ftira, along with fresh fruit. A full meal is not included.

Can children join the boat party?

No. The activity is not suitable for anyone under 18.

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